The Refuge Vow
The Refuge Ceremony
Our conduct during the Refuge Vow is a form of discipline. Our conduct is, more specifically, the discipline that structures and maintains the container within which the ceremony unfolds. As all members of our Sutrayana community are invited to witness the vow, all members have an opportunity to hold – and will be responsible for holding – the integrity of this event. For this reason, the steps outlined below are – with the exception of Step 3, which pertains only to first time and renewing refugees – recommended for everyone.
Refuge Ceremony Live Call
Sat, April 27
2:00 - 3:30 pm MT (Denver, UTC - 6)
Preparing for the Refuge Ceremony
- Create a space that radiates a sense of basic dignity. Make certain the space is uncluttered and orderly, and that distractions will be kept to a minimum. Put together a shrine. This can be a simple as a clean surface with a candle and lineage image and / or text. If there is incense, offer this.
- Do a full session of Shikantaza / Somatic Pure Awareness practice in order to come back to the body and stabilize the mind.
- Set a small bowl containing a very small amount of one’s own hair before the shrine. Refugees will be directed during the rehearsal on how this offering is to be part of the ceremony. (Note: This step pertains only to first time and renewing refugees)
- For first time and renewing refugees, the conference call will begin at 2 pm MT. The first fifteen minutes of this gathering will be devoted to a short rehearsal of the vow process lead by one of our Sutrayana Assistant Teachers. It is very important all refugees be present for this rehearsal. Any community members who arrive during rehearsal time are asked to quietly sit Shikantaza / Somatic Pure Awareness as this process unfolds. All attending community members should be present no later than 2:10 pm MT.
- Once the rehearsal concludes, all present will sit Shikantaza / Somatic Pure Awareness until the vow preceptor arrives and the ceremony begins.
